On Wednesday June 17th, I'll be joining Chris Waipa / Mortgage Punk at his BBB event taking place at The Commerce Club for a conversation that's deeply personal to me.

Katabasis: The Business of Failure

For most of my career, I viewed failure the way many entrepreneurs do: something to avoid, overcome, or move past as quickly as possible. Over time, that perspective changed.

The word katabasis comes from ancient Greek and means "a descent" or "journey downward." In mythology and literature, it often describes a difficult journey that ultimately transforms the person who experiences it.

Business has its own versions of katabasis.

A failed launch. A missed opportunity. A setback no one saw coming. A season where nothing seems to go according to plan.

These moments are often uncomfortable, frustrating, and sometimes even painful. Yet they also present an opportunity: the chance to learn, adapt, and emerge stronger than before.

In this talk, we'll explore how setbacks can become turning points, how resilience is developed in real time, and why some of the most valuable lessons in business are found in the moments we would never choose for ourselves.

Because sometimes success isn't built despite failure... sometimes it's built because of it.

Join Us

📍 The Commerce Club
📅 Wednesday, June 17th 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Katabasis: The Business of Failure
Presented by Sophii Jones

Hosted by Chris Waipa & Mortgage Punk